MOMS AND DADS TALK: Taking Time for Yourself After Babies are Born

Are you worried about getting out of the house since your baby was born? Don't be. This week our moms discuss staying active after becoming a parent.

---

JESSICA: I was a “first-time mom” eight years ago. I had waited my whole life to be a mom and couldn’t wait to quit my job and stay home. It was all I had dreamed about and it was going to be blissful. Then he proceeded to scream for the next six weeks and I thought, “WHAT did I just get myself into?”

Thank goodness I had a neighbor that saw how miserable I was and she stepped in and helped. The best thing she said to me was, “This happens to every new mom, it's not just you.” I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to find out that there were other women who hadn’t showered in days and smelled like baby poop and spit-up, and they were crying with their new babies, too!

The worst thing a new mom can do is stay in the house! Get outside; the sun does amazing things for our moods. Take walks and go to the playground! As soon as a baby is sitting up, you can pop them into a swing. I have made some of my best friends at the playground. Don’t be shy to talk to the other moms either. Most moms love to talk about their kids and would be happy to give you some advice. There are breastfeeding support groups, free activities at the library, and playgroups.

I have also suffered from postpartum depression after my second son. If you ever think that you are suffering too, please contact your doctor. It is NOTHING to be ashamed of. Sometimes it requires medication but it is usually temporary, and as a mom you need to make sure you are healthy so that you can be the best mom to your baby. Talk to your friends, ask for help from them and your family. Please remember it is normal, it is your hormones and you are not a bad mother.

I hope some other moms (or dads) can help by listing some of their ideas for things to do as a new parent to get out of the house, meet other parents, and keep sane. The first six months are tough, but as you watch your child grow and giggle and learn new things, you will see it is all worth it.

---

 is a stay-at-home mother of three boys, ages 7, 6 and 1. In addition to being a mom, she supports her husband with his local business, Home Appeal Remodeling.

 lives and Abingdon with her husband and two kids. She is an active member of the MOMS of Abingdon and is a representative for Juice Plus+.

 lives in Bel Air and is the founder of the . She is married with a teenage step-daughter, Brianna, who has Down syndrome.

 is the owner of  on Main Street. She lives in Bel Air with her husband and two children.

 is a stylist with Stella & Dot and a triathlete training with Go Mama Go team. She lives in Bel Air with her husband and two beautiful daughters.